Rehman insists on electricity relief, criticizes IPP agreements

English , Events - تقریبات , Snippets , / Monday, July 29th, 2024

RKI Web desk

Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has reaffirmed his party’s demand for a reduction in electricity tariffs and the removal of independent power producers (IPPs), warning that protests will continue until the government acts.

Speaking at a rally in Rawalpindi, Rehman highlighted the financial burden on the underprivileged due to IPP capacity charges. He urged the government to renegotiate agreements with IPPs, criticizing the deals as unnecessary and deceitful.

Rehman argued that IPPs lack legal rights if they fail to fulfill their agreements, asserting that legal rights are contingent on meeting contractual obligations.

His remarks followed the government’s formation of a technical committee to address the issue, with a second round of talks scheduled. Rehman condemned past and present governments for empowering IPPs since 1994 and questioned why the poor should bear the costs of capacity charges.

Rehman also urged the Punjab government not to hinder female protestors, emphasizing their right to protest as they are heavily impacted by electricity bills.

On Sunday, Rehman addressed a sit-in, emphasizing the need for peaceful political resistance and calling for the removal of recent electricity bill hikes. He pledged to secure enforceable guarantees from the government.

The government delegation, led by Information Minister Ataullah Tarar and others, met with JI Vice Emir Liaquat Baloch to find common ground. The government agreed to release detained Jamaat workers and formed a technical committee to discuss JI’s demands comprehensively.